economy will grow over the so-called " fiscal cliff. " that's when automatic tax increases and spending cuts could take effect. retain a deal before then will not be easy. because right now, both sides are involved in a high-stakes political blame game. >> we are here in washington working while the members of a house representatives are watching movies and watching the kids play soccer and basketball and doing all kinds of things. they should be here. i told the president that i would be happy to look at whatever he proposes but the truth is we are coming up against a hard deadline here and as i said this is a conversation we should have made months ago. democrats want to extend the bush era tax cuts to everyone except those americans making too much and $50,000 or more a year. many republicans remain against any tax increases. >> former president george h. w. bush is still in intensive care at a hospital in houston. the former president's family is confident that he will be out of i see you soon. if the former president's chief of staff since supporters a note yesterday including this